MADRID, Aug 30: Some 400 firefighters were forced to give ground Thursday as a fierce fire in eastern Spain increased in strength, fed by the hot weather and summer winds, local officials told the Spanish media.

The fire, which broke out on Tuesday and by late Wednesday had already burnt up 1,500 hectares of land, had gained in strength overnight, Vincente Rambla, vice president of the Valencia region, told reporters.

As the flames advanced, officials evacuated 120 residents of the village of Les Useres, close to where the fire broke out and where the blaze was burning most fiercely. Local authorities believe the fire was started accidentally by a crew that was repairing an electrical line.

Until now, Spain has escaped the worst of this year’s summer fires across Europe, partly because the weather has been unseasonably fresh and damp for the region.

The environment ministry announced Wednesday that only 56,350 hectares had been burnt this year, down a full 66 percent on last year.—AFP